8 Things to Know about the Cane Corso Bulldog Mix Dog

Photo by Reid Naaykens on Unsplash

This big and mighty dog breed has strong ties to ancient war dogs on both sides. So, it’s no surprise that the Cane Corso Bulldog mix is so sought after as companions and protectors.

However, before you adopt one of these loveable pups that look like pit bulls for your family, there are a few things you need to know. For example, did you know the size of these dogs depends on which type of Bulldog they crossbred with?

No? Then keep reading this detailed guide. It has everything you need to know, from sizing to grooming and even what health conditions to look out for. 

1. What is a Cane Corso Bulldog Mix?

As the name suggests, this well-built breed is a hybrid mix of a Cane Corso and a Bulldog. While having a Cane Corso is essential, the breed can be mixed with any Bulldog type. This means that not all Cane Corso Bulldog Mixes will look the same.

Below is a bit about each of the breeds that make up this powerful dog. 

Cane Corso Parent Breed

A Cane Corso’s origin dates back to Roma times, but essentially a type of Italian Mastiff. Interestingly, this breed is a direct descendant of the old Roman War Dog — Canis Pugnax. So, naturally, this breed is often kept as a guard dog or as a companion to hunters.

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Bulldog

The Bulldog’s origin can be traced to the British Isles around the fifth century. But they have more in common with the Cane Corso than expected. This Mastiff-type breed was also an ancient war dog used to control livestock. 

It wasn’t until much later, in the 17th and 19th centuries, that breeders started mixing breeds like the French and American Bulldog.

2. What Does a Cane Corso Bulldog Look Like?

The first thing you’ll notice about this large breed is its strong, muscular build. This is thanks to their Mastiff genes. But, depending on which Bulldog they are crossed with, they can slightly differ in looks and size.

Cane Corso French Bulldog Mix

This cross can only come from a Cane Corso mother and Frenchie father. French Bulldogs, or Frenchies, affectionately nicknamed, are quite small in stature. They weigh about 28 pounds and grow to only about 13 inches tall. 

A telltale sign that you have a French Bulldog is their shorter snouts and pointy ears that stand upright. They are also more playful than their Americana and English cousins.

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Cane Corso American Bulldog Mix

American Bulldogs are the biggest of the breed. Interestingly, there are five types of these big dogs, namely: Johnson, Painter, Scott, White English, and a Hybrid. 

Males can weigh up to 100 pounds, while females are slightly lighter and can weigh up to 80 pounds. These big proportions match the Cane Corso’s size quite well, so there isn’t much of a height difference between the two. So, the American Bulldog Cane Corso mix will be a big dog.

Cane Corso English Bulldog Mix

English Bulldogs are often crowned as some of the most ugly dog breeds, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. They are quite cute, and the original olde english Bulldogge breed dates back to the fifth century.

These mixed-breed dogs are medium in size, and males can weigh up to 50 pounds, while females rarely weigh more than 40 pounds. They usually grow to 16 inches tall.

This breed mix has floppy ears and stubby tails. They are also calmer and more open to strangers than other Bulldog mixes.

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3. Cane Corso Bulldog Size

This muscular dog has strong genes thanks to its breed origins (they were ancient war dogs, after all). So, it should come as no surprise that they can get quite big. You can expect a medium to large dog depending on which Bulldog they are mixed with.

A full-grown size dog will weigh anything from 70 to 120 pounds and measure between 22 and 28 inches. As mentioned before, their sizing can be quite unpredictable, so it can be difficult to say for sure.

That said, this breed is not ideal for apartment living. They need lots of space to roam around, play, and exercise.

4. Coat & Grooming

Typically, these dogs are some of the most low-maintenance dog breeds and don’t need much grooming attention, but that doesn’t mean they need no attention. Their coats deserve a brush every now and then. 

Color

Because this breed is a crossbreed, you can expect quite a few variations of coat colors. The most common Cane Corso coat colors are black, fawn, and gray. 

This breed also has an interesting color pattern called ‘brindle’, which means their coat has a lighter mix of stripes against a dark base color. For Cane Corso’s, these usually show up as black and grey brindle coats.

Over on the Bulldog side, you can expect coat colors like seal, brown, blue, black, lilac, white, fawn, and brindle. However, if you’re lucky, you’ll also find an interesting pattern color called ‘Merle’, which looks like black and white blobs.

Because of this mix of colors present in both breeds, your Cane Corso Bulldog can have a few coat colors and patterns. However, the most common colors to expect are light patches along their dark coat bases.

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Grooming

This breed’s short hair means that they’ll need minimal grooming. But that doesn’t mean they don’t need any attention at all. They will do well with a brush at least once a week.

Because they are a mix of Mastiffs, they have short snouts and are prone to Brachycephalic Syndrome (more on this later). So, they may have some airway troubles, which affects their ability to cool themselves down in warm weather. 

This is why brushing their coats at least once a week to get any loose hairs off of their coats is so important. This also helps their circulation.

Another crucial point owners of short-snout pets need to look at is the wrinkles around their noses. These folds can hold quite a bit of bacteria and dirt if neglected. So, they’ll also need you to swipe down their mouths every few days to keep them safe and kissable for you too.

You might like to read my article on getting your first Cane Corso.

5. Personality and Temperament

Both Cane Corsos and Bulldogs were historically used to protect cattle and as bodyguard dogs. Their high prey drive gives them protective instincts. Because of this, these dogs can be described as loyal and love being by their owner’s side and this gentle giant can be very loving towards all family members. 

This breed is quite affectionate and loves belly rubs, scratches, and attention from their owners. It’s also not uncommon to find them curling up on their owner’s laps. While they are affectionate and can do well around small children, sometimes they don’t know their own strengths. That is why some of them might do well with some proper socialization training, especially around new people. And don’t forget to practice positive reinforcement. 

You might enjoy reading about the Cane Corso Great Dane Mix Dog Breed.

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Intelligence

A Cane Corso Bulldog is very intelligent and eager to please. This means that they pick up on training and instructions fairly well. However, they might enjoy some resting time between lessons to relax and bond with their owners.

Thankfully, these breeds are playful and occasionally enjoy a good game of fetch or tug of war. While Cane Corso’s are high-energy dogs, Bulldogs are not. So this breed’s energy levels are somewhere in between, and they will only need about 30 minutes of outdoor exercise and play a day.

You might enjoy reading my article on the french bulldog golden retriever mix.

Are Cane Corso Bulldogs Aggressive?

Bulldogs and Cane Corso often get a bad rep as aggressive dog breeds. This might be because they were bred to be used as war dogs many centuries ago.

In reality, these dogs are quite lovable, loyal, and affectionate. But they thrive with training, socialization, and constant discipline. Again, possibly because of their military ancestors.

6. Life Expectancy

The life expectancy of this breed is between 11 to 14 years, which is quite long compared to other breeds. Bulldogs have a typical life expectancy of eight to ten years, while Cane Corsos can live for up to nine years.

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7. Diet

These dogs don’t need a specialized diet and you don’t have to restrict their eating habits. In fact, they’ll probably enjoy a few treats and high-quality foods.

However, these pets are prone to bloating. So, if you notice your pet’s stomach is full, you may need to adjust their diet slightly. Foods that help with bloating are calcium-rich dry kibble and a few probiotics.

8. Health Problems

These purebred dogs aren’t particularly prone to any serious health conditions, but because they are crossbred with bulldogs, it is wise to monitor that breed’s common health issues. You should also look at sicknesses all dogs are prone to in old age. 

Bloat

Bloating in dogs is quite common and happens to a number of dog breeds, so it’s nothing to be particularly worried about, but who wants their pup to stay uncomfortable? No one.

Bloating happens when gas gets trapped in the stomach and twists which adds pressure to the abdomen. Besides a swelled-up tummy, you may also notice symptoms like drooling, burping, shaking, panting, or whining.

You can avoid bloating by taking your pet on a walk a few minutes after eating (not immediately after) or getting a slow feeding bowl. These bowls help your pet slow their eating and swallowing, helping them properly digest their food.

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Hip Dysplasia

Hip Dysplasia is a common health problem among aging dogs. This happens when a deformity in the hips is more common in large dogs.

Symptoms include limping, leg stiffness, or if your dog prefers to sit or lay down. This is probably because walking and moving the hip joints causes them pain. Thankfully, there is a treatment for this that allows them to live a long and happy life afterward.

Skin Fold Dermatitis

This bacterial infection happens when frictional trauma around the folds eventually causes inflammation or bacterial growth. While this breed has a lot of folds on its face, it’s not limited to just its head. This can happen anywhere there are skin folds.

Symptoms include swollen or smelly skin that your dog may constantly be licking or scratching. This is why wiping down your pet’s mouth or using an antibacterial shampoo as soon as you see symptoms is important.

In severe cases, they might even need surgery to remove the excess skin folds.

Cherry Eye 

Cherry Eye is an eye condition that happens when the Nictitans Glands (the tear-producing gland) prolapse. This causes the lower eye area to become inflamed and swell hence the name. Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent Cherry Eye, which needs surgery to correct.

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Respiratory Problems 

As with many short-nosed dogs, this breed is prone to brachycephalic airway syndrome resulting in respiratory problems. Unfortunately, both Cane Corsos and Bulldogs have short noses, which will often cause them to have trouble breathing.

It is essential to keep their body temperatures down. Dogs usually pant to cool themselves down, but because of their breathing problems, this breed mix has trouble regulating itself.

FAQs about the Cane Corso and Bulldog Mix Dog Breed

What is the Best Mix with Cane Corso?

This answer can be quite subjective. But there is no harm in getting a Cane Corso Mix crossbred with some of the best-behaved dog breeds like a Golden Retriever, a French Bulldog, or a poodle.

How Big Will a Cane Corso Bully Mix Get?

The size of these breeds can vary, but you can expect your pup to be anywhere between 20 to 24 inches tall. They’ll most likely be a beefy boy (or girl) weighing between 50 and 90 pounds too.

Is Cane Corso a Bully Breed?

Yes. Bully breeds come from a rootstock from Ancient Greece called the Molosser. French Bulldogs are also a type of bully breed which is one of the breeds often crossed to make a Cane Corso Bulldog mix.

Is Cane Corso a Good Family Dog?

Yes. Cane Corso’s do very well around families and children as they are very loving, loyal, and affectionate. However, it’s always a good idea to start socializing between three to 4 weeks of age to help them understand how to react around more minor children.

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Is a Bulldog Cane Corso Mix Dog Right For You?

While this breed’s sizes depend on which kind of bulldog they’re crossed with, they need an owner with experience with large dogs. This is because they need early socialization, discipline, and a large space to thrive and be themselves truly.

However, if you’re up for the challenge, you’ll be able to reap the amazing award of a very loving and loyal pet that will not leave your side.